Dancehall singer, Spice Disagrees with Buju Banton's Criticism of Afrobeats, Defends the Genre

Image: DP

Jamaican dancehall star Spice has openly disagreed with reggae legend Buju Banton's recent harsh critique of Afrobeats music. During an appearance on the Drink Champs podcast, Banton criticized Afrobeats artists, accusing them of prioritizing financial gain over addressing societal issues in their music.

He also claimed that Afrobeats lacks substance and is destined to fade over time, further alleging that the genre has borrowed heavily from Jamaican reggae and dancehall without proper acknowledgment.

In a response during an Instagram Live interview with Nigerian media personality Daddy Freeze, Spice defended Afrobeats, rejecting Banton's characterization of the genre as "f*ckery." The dancehall queen expressed her admiration for Afrobeats, stating, "I don’t think Afrobeats is f*ckery. It’s absurd to say that."

Spice emphasized that there are indeed Afrobeats artists who create conscious, culturally relevant music. She highlighted Burna Boy as an example, noting his songs like Monsters You Made and his track addressing the #EndSARS movement in Nigeria, which tackle important social and political issues. She also mentioned other artists like 2Face and Falz, who have similarly used their music to comment on political matters in Nigeria.

"The problem with Buju Banton is that he doesn’t understand that artists are different," Spice said. She acknowledged that while she is the "queen of dancehall," she recognizes that Afrobeats is currently dominating the global music scene. "We can’t deny it. I’m the queen of dancehall but Afrobeats is ruling the world now."

Spice's comments highlight a differing perspective within the Jamaican music community, with her defending the rise and relevance of Afrobeats while acknowledging the diversity and cultural significance that the genre brings to the global stage.

Source: DP

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